OLCV Talk

Oregon House Votes to Reduce Commitment to Clean Energy

By a 54-6 vote, the Oregon House repassed House Bill 2940 an hour ago.

The bill weakens Oregon's commitment to clean energy by redefining what is "renewable" under Oregon's renewable energy standard passed in 2007. The Standard requires Oregon have 25% new renewable energy by 2025. This bill will reduce that commitment by about 26% by allowing old biomass and waste burning facilities to be counted as renewable facilities and towards the 25% goal.

More about the bill.

Those voting No should be thanked: Reps. Barton, Beyer, Cannon, David Edwards, Greenlick, and Kahl.

Conservation groups now turn our efforts to Governor Kulongoski and asking him to veto the bill.

Senate passes EEAST 27-3 - Hooray for Energy Efficiency!

Senators Kruse, George, Boquist became the only three legislators to vote against Reps. Bailey and Read's excellent energy efficiency EEAST program.

Today the Senate passed the bill, HB 2626, on a 27-3 vote after the House passed it 57-0. It now heads to the Governor for his signature. Read more about the program.

Congrats to all who worked on this bill.

Senate Votes to Reduce Commitment to Clean Energy

The Oregon Senate, on a 25-3 vote, passed House Bill 2940 an hour ago. The bill weakens Oregon's commitment to clean energy by redefining what is "renewable" under Oregon's renewable energy standard passed in 2007. The Standard requires Oregon have 25% new renewable energy by 2025. This bill will reduce that commitment by about 26% by allowing old biomass and waste burning facilities to be counted as renewable facilities and towards the 25% goal.

Read more about the bill on BlueOregon and in an article in today's Oregonian.

The bill now returns to the House for concurrence with the Senate amendments, and then heads to the Governor.

The three Senators voting against the bill (thank you!) were Senators Bonamici, Rosenbaum, and Dingfelder.

Will the Legislature Back Track on Oregon's Clean Energy Future?

On Friday, our august Executive Director Jonathan Poisner wrote about a major threat to Oregon's environment: House Bill 2940, which would roll back Oregon's commitment to a clean energy future. We urge you to contact your Senators today - either by calling them at 800-332-2313 or emailing them via this page.

Today's Oregonian has an overview of the fate of environment this legislative session thus far. Several bills -- both good for the environment and bad -- still hang in the balance.

How Is Oregon's Environment Faring This Session?

It’s been a busy five months at the Capitol, and as the session enters its final weeks, we still have a lot of work to do.

Hundreds of environmental bills were introduced this session, an even dozen of which we prioritized, on six key issues. As of today, only two priority bills have made it to the Governor. In short, the session hasn’t exactly gone swimmingly.

 

While the session is not over, right now legislators have a lot of work to do to meet the bar set by the 2007 session, when the Oregon Legislature moved the state forward to fight climate change, fight toxins in rivers, expand the bottle bill, and more. That session was defined by groundbreaking legislation that set goals for reducing global warming pollution and spurred the growth of local renewable energy sources.

 

But a lot has changed since 2007 – most obviously, the state of our economy. And while the climate crisis offers Oregon a chance to create local jobs for Oregon families (The New York Times reports today Oregon leads the nation in green jobs), the 2009 Legislature has yet to send any of the four Oregon Conservation Network priority climate bills to the Governor. The state’s budget woes have proven to be a powerful distraction, and an excuse for inaction.

 

That’s not to say we haven’t seen some small and not-so-small victories, such as:

• TriMet and the Lane Transit District will be able to more adequately fund transit.
• People who dump non-native fish into Oregon lakes and rivers will face increased penalties.
• Oregon’s rivers will be protected from phosphates in household dishwashing soap.
• Homeowners will be able to use gray water to water their lawns and gardens.
• Penalties for corporate polluters will be increased for the first time in 36 years.

 

A critical climate bill, House Bill 2186, passed the House last month, but has yet to pass the Senate. And the House passed a consensus bill (HB 3013) related to OCN's Marine Reserves priority, which is now in the Senate.

Yet the Legislature has missed some opportunities -- like making Oregon's bottle bill more robust -- and may even send the state backwards on climate. Here are some of the battles we’re fighting right now:

 

• HB 2186 - the Senate may considerably weaken the version the House passed, or not take it up at all.
• We may end up fighting against Senate Bill 80, which could be irreparably altered to benefit corporate polluters. Sadly, this bill was once the centerpiece of this session’s climate and jobs package.
• HB 2940 would dramatically cut Oregon’s commitment to our clean energy, undermining the Renewable Energy Standard targets passed in 2007.
• Liquefied natural gas and HB 3058: It’s been an all-session battle against out-of-state corporations determined to site their dirty LNG facilities in our beautiful state. The House passed HB 3058, and it now sits in the Senate. A story in Monday’s Oregonian highlights the battle of grassroots organizations fighting the deep-pocketed fossil fuels energy industry.

 

The session isn't over yet. There's still time for significant progress on climate, water, marine reserves, and invasive species this session. There’s still time to stop major threats and pass key bills that will protect the Oregon we love. That’s what we’re fighting for… Stay tuned.

Good Jobs? Clean Energy? Repower Oregon - here's how.

Repower Oregon is working to find a solution to two big challenges:

• an economic recession
  
  
• the need for a clean energy future.

Over on their website, they explain:

With sound investments and smart policies, we can put Oregon’s economy back on track. We can create thousands of good jobs while protecting existing industries and vulnerable communities. And we can position Oregon to be a global leader in the transition to a clean energy future.

Please join the campaign and ask your legislators to Repower Oregon in 2009.

 

Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and State Treasurer Ben Westlund

Loud applause for Kulongoski's State of the State

Governor Kulongoski gave his State of the State address today. He said a lot of good things particularly pertaining to the urgency to deal with energy and climate.

Here are some of the most applauded parts of his whole speech:

"Another priority of mine that will not change is fighting for energy independence and energy security.

There is a green revolution stirring in America, and Oregon is the beating heart of that revolution.  But it won'’t be for long if we call a timeout on our move toward investing in renewable energy and green technology.

We have already laid down clear markers of leadership in building America’'s new energy future:

The largest number of photovoltaic solar cells in North America will be manufactured in Oregon.  The most ambitious renewable energy portfolio was codified in Oregon.  The highest per capita use of hybrid vehicles is here in Oregon.  And the longest –and most storied – tradition of protecting our natural heritage remains in Oregon.

The state is taking the lead in cutting greenhouse gases, everything from buying electric cars to investing in wave energy.

But meaningful reductions will require meaningful changes in the way we produce and use energy.

If we’'re going to significantly cut greenhouses gases, –we’'re going to have to think bigger than capping emissions and trading credits.

We’'re also going to have to innovate, educate, and invest!

That means more research and development into energy efficiency and conservation.  Creating a larger science infrastructure that will attract and train scientists and engineers.  And making sure Oregon businesses have the opportunity to generate a critical mass of brainpower, financial power, and marketing power.  

When it comes to fighting climate change,  recently I'’ve been hearing a chorus of naysayers  singing a three-part harmony of –too costly, too burdensome, and too soon.

But this chorus is out of tune –and out of touch –with Oregon’'s future.

The time has come to put away the old songbook about a healthy environment being an impediment to a steady, strong and sustainable economy.  It wasn'’t true 30 years ago -- and it is not true now."

 

Read his speech as prepared for delivery.

The Session is Coming! The Session is Coming! Join us in Salem Jan 13

The Oregon Conservation Network's Day of Action

Join us in Salem, January 13, 2009, for the unveiling of OCN's 2009 legislative priorities and a day of action.

Experts on all six of our environmental priorities will brief us on:
� Critical environmental issues in Oregon
� Proposed legislation in the Oregon House and Senate
� Oregon's legislative process
� How YOU can play a part in creating a more healthier, greener Oregon for our families.

WHEN: January 13, 2009 9 AM - 3 PM
WHERE: Micah Building: 680 State Street Salem

We are coming together on the second day of the 2009 Legislative Session to build on the energy and excitement around the role we play as engaged citizens in lobbying our legislators throughout the year.

Mid-day we will walk over to the capitol steps and participate in a clean energy rally.

Tell friends! And stay tuned for details on transportation.

Sign up here!
 

Register to Attend   Tell My Friends   Add to My Calendar   Event List

 

 

Countdown to 2009

Countdown to the 2009 Legislative Session that is...

The first day of session is January 12 and we can't wait to get to work.

We'll be working on critical environmental legislation as a member of the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN), a coalition of fifty of Oregon’s leading environmental groups. 

Implement Global Warming Solutions We must take action to reduce global warming pollution, which if left unchecked will lead to increased forest fires, water shortages, and major disruptions to our economy. The Legislature should place a mandatory, declining cap on global warming pollution.

Promote Water Conservation Farmers, fishermen, cities, businesses and local communities all need adequate water supplies to thrive. It’s our responsibility to ensure a legacy of healthy rivers for everyone and everything that depends on them

Preserve Oregon’s Coastal Legacy Global warming, pollution, increasing population, and coastal development are taking a toll – and our ocean’s future health is at risk. The Legislature should create a system of marine protected areas and reserves in Oregon’s Territorial Sea.

Increase Transportation Options As the Oregon Legislature considers new transportation investments, we must make sure to use more efficient land use planning and invest in transportation options. This will reduce the amount of time Oregonians spend in traffic, improve our health, and reduce the amount we spend on gas.

Ensure New Energy Supplies are Responsible Liquefied natural gas (LNG) emits 20-30% more global warming pollution than domestic natural gas. LNG terminals planned for Oregon would mainly send gas to California, which has rejected LNG because of safety and environmental concerns.

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species Oregon must take action to stop the spread of invasive plant, animal, and aquatic species. The Legislature should require boats entering the state be cleaned, to prevent the introduction of invasive snails and mussels into Oregon’s waterways.

Learn more about our Priorities for a Healthy Oregon.

To stay up to date on our priorities and other environmental bills during the session, sign up for SalemWatch, our legislative e-newsletter.

Sarah Palin loves the environment THISSSS much

Lizzie Grossman has a really great post on her blog Eco-Compass. Grossman asks voters to consider what McCain's VP pick says about his environmental policy.

Read Lizzie's post to gain insight on how Palin has governed on environmental issues in Alaska and the values she would likely bring to the White House.

Lizzie Grossman is a resident of Portland, Oregon. Her writing has appeared in The Nation, Orion, The Seattle Times, The Washington Post and other publications. She is a member of Multnomah County OLCV .